Wisaal of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.)

Hazrat Abu Bakr al-Siddiq R.A (51 BH–13 AH / 573–634 CE), the first Caliph of Islam and the most beloved companion of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, passed away on the 22nd of Jumada al-Thani, 13 AH at the age of 63 — the same age at which the Prophet ﷺ departed. His full name was Abdullah ibn Abi Quhafa, and he belonged to the Banu Taym clan of the Quraysh tribe in Makkah. He was a wealthy and respected merchant known for his honesty and gentle character even before Islam.

He was the first free adult male to accept Islam — when the Prophet ﷺ invited him, he accepted without a moment's hesitation, and the Prophet ﷺ later said: "I never invited anyone to Islam except that they hesitated, except Abu Bakr." He earned the title "al-Siddiq" (the Truthful) when the Quraysh mocked the Prophet's ﷺ account of Isra and Miraj — Abu Bakr R.A declared: "If he says it, then it is true. I believe him regarding news from the heavens, so how would I not believe this?" He spent his entire wealth in the service of Islam — he purchased and freed Hazrat Bilal R.A from slavery and torture, and spent 40,000 dirhams freeing other persecuted Muslims. The Prophet ﷺ said: "No wealth has benefited me as much as Abu Bakr's wealth." He accompanied the Prophet ﷺ during the dangerous Hijra to Madinah, hiding in the Cave of Thawr for three days while the Quraysh searched for them.

Allah revealed about this moment: "Do not grieve, indeed Allah is with us" (Quran 9:40) — a verse that eternally honors his companionship. The Prophet ﷺ chose him to lead the prayers during his final illness — a clear indication of his status. The Prophet ﷺ said: "If I were to take a Khalil (intimate friend) other than my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr." As the first Caliph (13 AH), he preserved the unity of Islam during the Ridda Wars when many tribes apostatized after the Prophet's ﷺ passing.

He declared: "By Allah, if they withhold even a rope they used to give to the Prophet ﷺ, I will fight them." He initiated the compilation of the Holy Quran into a single manuscript (Mushaf) under the supervision of Hazrat Zaid ibn Thabit R.A — preserving the Word of Allah for eternity. His caliphate lasted only 2 years and 3 months, yet he dispatched the armies of Hazrat Khalid ibn Waleed R.A and Hazrat Usama R.A, securing the borders of the Islamic state. He was buried beside the Prophet ﷺ in the sacred chamber of his daughter Hazrat Ayesha R.A in Masjid al-Nabawi, Madinah — a distinction shared only with Hazrat Umar R.A.